MLA WANTS STRONGER RULES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Marc Dalton Thinks Health Canada Program Is 'Out Of
Control'

The provincial representative for Maple Ridge-Mission hopes the
federal government takes a fresh look at regulations around medical
marijuana now that the Conservatives have a majority.

B.C. Liberal MLA Marc Dalton believes the program, administered by
Health Canada, is "out of control."

Dalton believes medical grow operations are linked to organized crime
and that the federal program is being abused and causing problems in
the community.

However, "It is impossible to verify."

He adds that police, especially in Mission, have expressed several
concerns about medical grow operations, citing their proliferation and
public safety concerns.

Health Canada grants access to marijuana for medical use to those who
are suffering from grave and debilitating illnesses.

Currently, 10,500 people hold Authorization to Possess dried marihuana
under the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations in Canada.

Of those, 5,983 hold a Personal Use Production Licence.

Another 1,984 hold a Designated-Person Production License under the
MMAR in Canada.

Getting a Heath Canada permit, though, isn't easy.

Patients must satisfy legal and medical conditions set by Ottawa
before a permit to possess marijuana is issued. If the person wants to
grow their own marijuana, they must complete another application and a
third one, if they want to purchase seeds from Prairie Plant Systems
(PPS) - the only government-approved supplier.

If they can't grow their own crop, a "designated person" who clears a
criminal record check must apply for a licence.

Dalton, a former federal Tory candidate, intends to contact
Conservative MP Randy Kamp to express his feelings about regulations
around medical marijuana.

"I am very much hoping that now that we have a majority Conservative
government, they will look at this and re-examine this," said Dalton,
who was at Kamp's campaign office the night of the federal election.

"I really do hope we can see some action on this file."

Ridge Meadows RCMP, though, don't share Dalton's concerns about the
medical marijuana program, but note legal cannabis crops are prime
targets for thieves who often resort to violence while committing crimes.

"The medicinal marijuana program has become problematic in that it has
put legal growers into conflict with illegal operations," said Supt.
Dave Walsh.

"This has resulted in them becoming victims of home invasions,
robberies and violence."

Dalton's apprehensions about medical marijuana also surprises the
president of The Always Growing Green Society, which operates Taggs
Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Maple Ridge.

Michael Joinson said there isn't rampant abuse of the medical cannabis
system.

Since the non-profit society opened a year ago, it has grown to 300
members, a figure, he notes, that reinforces the need for more access
to marijuana and places that dispense it.

He admits the dispensary, as well as seven others in B.C., are nervous
about a Conservative majority government curtailing access to medical
marijuana.

The dispensary's supply comes from "compassionate growers" who are
authorized to grow marijuana by Health Canada.

Joinson has invited Dalton and Kamp to the dispensary, but neither
accepted his offer.

"I don't respect anything Marc Dalton has to say unless he talks to
our members and sees how it works," said Joinson.

"How can he judge us without knowing who we are?"